The Quest for Definition

Reaching the point of definition, or the full body snap, with the proper grounding and skeletal alignment can be tricky to say the least. However achieving this is a crucial part of the mechanics to apply a technique utilizing the whole body. There is a lot going on and to be able to be in tune with all of these factors requires a huge abundance of both the physical repitition and sharp mental awareness towards the stances and technics involved. They need to work as one and what may feel very wrong at the time, may actually be right on the mark. But due to the high amounts of repititions that took place, the awareness just hasn't struck yet.

I have been working hard on proper skeletal alignment and grounded execution on Loa Gar lately and have made some really good progress. My techniques are now being led by the hips, completed at the center of my quadrants, and that back foot is now straightening out when I snap those hips and transition through the form. I'm starting to feel that conductor, not THE energy, but the snap that completes the connection, that final second when the technique reaches complete rotation and that back leg and heel is grounded firm, an explosion from the center out. (I think this is what is meant by compressing in our stances) It's weird but it feels weak as opposed to when I throw everything from the shoulder. The thing is, it's not, it's about 14 times stronger than the one arm because the whole body is now involved with proper alignment and timing. Keeping in mind all of this and slowing the form down has really smoothed out my flow and improved my timing. Now I just need to apply this to the rest of the school forms as well because they must move together. I'm also learning the new bow and how that translates into the forms, it's coming.

My weapon form is coming along well and making these new connections has both improved how to handle the weapon more efficiantly and smooth out the timing. To add to this I am far more aware the positioning of the weapon in motion and where it is to insure I reach proper definition at the execution point. For me I use the Lao Gar stance when I train with a heavy weapon because it provides a great counterweight and gives that reach and stability when I am trying to keep the weapon moving smooth and timed correctly, it's also great for transitioning between stances.

The last little while has been great because my attention is fully on my girls and my Kung Fu. I haven't seen much of them over the last few years as a result of my work. Now I can see my wife everyday and hang out with my daughter. Actually right now I'm teaching my daughter to drive. I wouldn't have had this opportunity if I was busy at work and it is one of those things as a parent that you only get one shot at. She's doing awesome but she needs to watch the speed and is already shaking her head at drivers!! She comes by it honestly though as both of her parents drive everything like we stole it. 

My Kung Fu is also coming along very well as I have no distractions and just having the time to concentrate on it and build a routine has been great. With the roles reversed I can bring my routine into my work and hopefully it sticks, I'm not so good at routine, I just do things as they come. The problem is though my focus and prioritization becomes corrupted and suddenly the task at hand takes priority over everything and that is no good. So I'm really working hard to overcome this as a work ethic, focus, and commitment is not the problem. The problem is I need to remember that my best interests come first, not last, and if I can build a real strong routine and hold this mindset in line with everything else as my work returns it should all move together. For someone that is well known to be a troubleshooter in my field of expertise, I sure suck at fixing my own s$#t, but this is what this time is for and when all else fails, I go back to my first posts and hammer that home. See you on the screen.